Flower form alteration in monocot ornamental plants by genetic transformation

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In the present study, the following experiments were carried out in order to alter flower form in monocot ornamentals by genetic transformation.1. Establishment of genetic transformation systemsAn efficient and reproducible system for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was established in Tricyrtis hirta. In addition, long-term and stable expression of a foreign gene was confirmed in transgenic plants of Agapanthus praecox ssp. orientalis and T. hirta.2. Isolation and characterization of MADS-box genes involved in the ABC modelVarious MADS-box genes, mainly the class B genes, were isolated from A. praecox ssp. orientalis, Muscari armeniacum, Trillium camtschatcense, Tricyrtis affinis and Alstroemeria ligtu. Expression of the class B genes was observed in both inner and outer tepals, which supports the modified ABC model.3. Isolation and characterization of cycloidea (CFC)-like genesCYC-like genes were isolated from two Alstroemeria species. Expression analyses of these genes indicate that the floral zygomorphy in monocot plants is controlled in a similar manner to dicot plants.4. Genetic transformation with MADS-box genes involved in the ABC modelThe class B genes isolated from A. praecox ssp. orientalis were introduced to each of T.hirta, Nicotiana tabacum and Lactuca sativa by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. For all the three species, some transgenic plants produced flowers with apparent morphological alterations. These results indicate a possibility of molecular breeding for flower form alteration by genetic transformation with the class B MADS-box gene(s) of heterologous plant species.